Sterling Heights, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Sterling Heights is a large city in Michigan with a population of 133,473. Residents earn $78,429 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
133,473 Population 3,662/sq mi density
$78,429 Median Income $37,315 per capita
$260,700 Home Value $301,210 Zillow
$1,267 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature 253 sunny days/yr
169 Violent Crime/100K 1,539 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$78,429 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$260,700 home value, $1,267/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
169 violent crimes/100K (56% below avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,429
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $260,700
8% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 169/100K
56% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.2%
7% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,267
9% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

How Sterling Heights Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population133,473
Median Age41.5 yrs
Density3,662/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

A
Median Income$78,429
Per Capita$37,315
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$143,144M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$260,700
Rent$1,267
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$301,210

Crime

F
Violent169/100K
Property1,539/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault123/100K
Burglary168/100K

Health

Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Sunny Days253/yr
Elevation617 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.2%
High School+87.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute25 min
EV Stations13
Libraries40

Is Sterling Heights a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sterling Heights receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Sterling Heights offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sterling Heights is $78,429, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sterling Heights is $260,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,267 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Sterling Heights is below the national average at 169 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,539 per 100,000, 21% below the national average.

Education

31.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Sterling Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 253 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches, including 27.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Sterling Heights has a population of 133,473 with a density of 3,662 people per square mile. The median age is 41.5 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (78.9%), with 6.6% Black.

Population

133,473
Total Population
3,662
People / sq mi
41.5yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
36.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Sterling Heights vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only65.6%
16% below US avg
Spanish34.4%
157% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Sterling Heights vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sterling Heights is $78,429, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Sterling Heights vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,429
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,315
Avg Weekly Wage$1,498
IRS Avg AGI$117,718

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)43,047
County GDP$143,144M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,099
Healthcare5,524
Retail4,518
Manufacturing1,635

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,369
139% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.3 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Sterling Heights is $260,700, 8% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,267 (9% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $301,210.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$260,700
8% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$301,210
Median List Price$325,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$325,900
$/Sq Ft$173
Homes Sold93
Sale-to-List Ratio98.1%
Price Drops26.6%
Inventory154

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,267
9% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,487

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,369
139% above US avg
Effective Rate3.21%
In Sterling Heights, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sterling Heights vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma11.3%
COPD7.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.8%
Checkup Rate79.2%
Premature Death6,101/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access96.4%
Healthcare Facilities5,524
Sterling Heights has a violent crime rate of 169 per 100,000 residents, 56% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,539 per 100,000 (21% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Sterling Heights vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent168.7/100K
56% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.1/100K
Robbery20.5/100K
Assault123.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,539.5/100K
21% below US avg
Burglary167.9/100K
Theft1,253.8/100K
Vehicle Theft117.8/100K
Arson9.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)76

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sterling Heights has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. The area enjoys 253 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days253 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall27.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation617 ft (188 m)
Area36.5 sq mi (94.4 km²)
Population Density3,662/sq mi
Coordinates42.5812°N, 83.0303°W
County FIPS26125
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 31.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 10.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.8%
D 54.4%

Winner: Democrat by 10.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.2%
7% below US avg
High School+87.5%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,662/sq mi
Total Area36.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations17
Public Libraries40
Healthcare Facilities5,524
Restaurants3,099
Retail Stores4,518

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)76
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.3 min
Work from Home13.8%

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